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Cited by 189Visual perception and processing mechanismsNeural dynamics and brain functionMultisensory perception and integration

GABA shapes the dynamics of bistable perception

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van Loon, Anouk M., Knapen, Tomas, Scholte, H. Steven, St. John-Saaltink, Elexa, Donner, Tobias H., Lamme, Victor A.F.·2013·Current Biology
DOI 10.1016/j.cub.2013.03.067
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Abstract

Sometimes, perception fluctuates spontaneously between two distinct interpretations of a constant sensory input. These bistable perceptual phenomena provide a unique window into the neural mechanisms that create the contents of conscious perception. Models of bistable perception posit that mutual inhibition between stimulus-selective neural populations in visual cortex plays a key role in these spontaneous perceptual fluctuations. However, a direct link between neural inhibition and bistable perception has not yet been established experimentally. Here, we link perceptual dynamics in three distinct bistable visual illusions (binocular rivalry, motion-induced blindness, and structure from motion) to measurements of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentrations in human visual cortex (as measured with magnetic resonance spectroscopy) and to pharmacological stimulation of the GABAA receptor by means of lorazepam. As predicted by a model of neural interactions underlying bistability, both higher GABA concentrations in visual cortex and lorazepam administration induced slower perceptual dynamics, as reflected in a reduced number of perceptual switches and a lengthening of percept durations. Thus, we show that GABA, the main inhibitory neurotransmitter, shapes the dynamics of bistable perception. These results pave the way for future studies into the competitive neural interactions across the visual cortical hierarchy that elicit conscious perception.

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  • A higher GABA concentration in the visual cortex results in a slowdown of perceptual switches.

    “With a computational model of the assumed neural underlying interactions, the authors first predicted that a higher GABA concentration in the visual cortex would result in a slowdown of the perceptual switches.”

    From What visual illusions teach us about schizophrenia (2014) · cites this paper as Van Loon et al., 2013

  • Systemic administration of a GABAA agonist (lorazepam) lengthens percept durations and decreases switch rates.

    “More importantly, the authors then experimentally confirmed these predictions by observing, after the systemic administration of a GABAA agonist (lorazepam), a lengthening of the percept durations and a decrease in the switch rates (Van Loon et al., 2013).”

    From What visual illusions teach us about schizophrenia (2014) · cites this paper as Van Loon et al., 2013

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Authors
van Loon, A. M., Knapen, T., Scholte, H. S., St. John-Saaltink, E., Donner, T. H., & Lamme, V. A. F.
Affiliations
  • University of Amsterdam (NL)
  • Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin (DE)
ORCID
Venue
Current Biology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2013-05
Volume
23
Issue
9
Pages
823-827
ISSN
0960-9822 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.cub.2013.03.067
OpenAlex
W2043525735
Cited by
189
References
39
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 23 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 18 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 7
FWCI
9.65
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Current Biology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • UvA-DARE (University of Amsterdam) (publishedVersion)
  • VU Research Portal (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
  • Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (451-09-016)
  • European Research Council
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Visual perception and processing mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Multisensory perception and integration
Keywords
bistable perception, GABA, GABAA receptor, lorazepam, binocular rivalry, motion-induced blindness, structure from motion, visual cortex, reciprocal inhibition, perceptual dynamics, conscious perception, perceptual switching, inhibitory neurotransmitter
MeSH terms
gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Humans, Models, Neurological, Motion, Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Photic Stimulation, Visual Cortex, Visual Perception, Vision Disparity

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